EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000349 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH AND JMCCLELLAN; DEPT FOR EUR/ACE DMARTIN; CBP/INA FOR PWARKER; USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY; DOC FOR PETERSEN-BEARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP HR LO SI SUBJECT: EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - MARCH 2007 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS Croatia -------------- 01 March, attended a meeting called by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Ambassador at Large, which also included Customs Directorate and Ministry of Economy representatives to discuss the topics for inclusion in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Customs Authorities Workshop planned as an adjunct to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) World Congress scheduled for April in Dubrovnik. EXBS agreed to the Ambassador's request to attend a planning session to be held in Dubrovnik later in the week. EXBS further agreed to the Ambassador's request to participate in the workshop by preparing and delivering a paper on Customs enforcement legal framework and as a contributing panel member to the roundtable discussion. -------------- 06 March, attended a planning meeting in Dubrovnik to meet officials of the OPCW and observe scheduling details discussed for the CWC Customs Authorities Workshop and OPCW World Congress. EXBS agreed to participate in the Congress and deliver a paper on "Incentives for Industry - Government Outreach". -------------- 20 March, met with the Ministry of Interior (MoI),Deputy Head, Border Police (BP) Directorate to discuss logistical arrangements for the Border Tracking Training scheduled for June. Within days after this meeting which initiated scheduling negotiations and decisions within the MoI to ensure support facility and participant availability, the training was abruptly cancelled by USG. -------------- 21 March, met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Head of International Security Department, to discuss general issues related to legislation revisions and updates, Tracker, general points associated with the Licensing Commission, implementation of enforcement procedures and related topics. This discussion is a continuing dialogue to share points of concern and explore effective solutions intended to instill confidence and self-determination toward achievement of an efficient and productive export control regime. -------------- 21 March, attended a reception hosted by the State Office for Radiation Protection (SORP) attended by government representatives from Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. The reception marked the conclusion of a two-day regional meeting to discuss and agree to a harmonized response to detected transport and shipment of radioactive contaminated metal waste. This assembly produced the basis for an International South Eastern European Regional Cooperation Agreement to exchange information and assistance toward the detection, containment and decontamination of radiated shipments of scrap metal waste. This would be the first such document in Europe and conducted without either EU or US direction or involvement. -------------- 21 March, attended a regularly scheduled luncheon meeting with the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS),Director and Head of Department to discuss general topics covering portal monitor requirements, coordination of responsibilities with SORP, training aids and other issues related to sustaining Commodity Identification Training in Croatia. While ideas and solutions were exchanged no specific outcome resulted. -------------- 21 March, met with the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor to discuss progress in the UNDP sponsored twinning (type) project to imbed an EU Export Control Licensing Advisor within the Ministry of Economy and coordinated through the MFA. The project had been introduced to EXBS for guidance and support. As a means to ensure continuity with EXBS goals a potential candidate from Estonia who has assisted the EXBS program internationally and holds the approval and support of the GOC was suggested. The UNDP and GOC are developing terms of reference for the project proposal which will then be advertised for other possible EU candidates. While any potential contributions of this project toward achievement of long term Export Controls development goals is yet to be defined, it offers greater continuity and involvement between US and EU efforts, particularly if the EXBS suggested candidate is selected. At this time no additional candidates have been identified. -------------- 21 March, met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Assistant Minister and Head of Department International Security and ZAGREB 00000349 002 OF 002 the Ministry of Economy (MoE) Head of Trade Policy. The discussion was membership in Australia Group, continued EXBS cooperation, the upcoming CWC Workshop and OPCW World Congress and a status update on export control legislative reform. The revised control lists are expected to be adopted by April; the revised Criminal Code with new penalty provisions should be ready by July, followed by the Munitions Law now in committee and a revision of the Dual-Use legislation expected by fall. Slovakia -------------- 15 March, met with Ministry of Finance (MFA),Customs Directorate, Criminal Investigations Office Head of Department. The discussion was directed toward establishing a training goal and measurable objectives for developing curriculum for Customs Investigations and Source Development training. A number of options were put forward and discussed and it was agreed to conduct a follow-up meeting in April. -------------- 15 March, met with the Deputy Head, Ministry of Interior (MoI), Border and Alien Police (BAP),provided the donation Grant Agreement for the encryption system which had been delayed due to prolonged processing. It was agreed that the encryption system can now be delivered as soon as the paperwork is complete. -------------- 22 March, met with the Acting Director, Department of Sensitive Goods Trading Management (Licensing),Ministry of Economy (MoE) to discuss problems with the Tracker Licensing Communication Network and unsuccessful efforts to determine the status of the shipment containing the upgrade hardware components. No additional computer terminals have been received although they were assigned a TO and arrangements were reportedly made for shipment. The EXBS Advisor is still awaiting an update on the status of this TO. ¶2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Croatia -------------- 06-08 March, delegates from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance (Customs Directorate),attended the International Export Control Conference in Bucharest. -------------- 06-09 March, the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) provided Commodity Identification Training (CIT) to approximately twenty five representatives from the MOE, MFA Customs, MOI, SONS and SORP. The workshop was very successful. NNSA representatives will return to Croatia in May to discuss assistance in ensuring CIT training can be assumed and continued by SONS and SORP. Slovakia -------------- 07-08 March, the U.S. Commerce Department provide Internal Control Program (ICP) training to approximately 32 industry representatives in Piestany. The training, hosted by the Slovak Chamber of Commerce was well attended and successful. Slovenia -------------- 14-15 March, the U.S. Commerce Department provide Internal Control Program (ICP) training to approximately 10 industry representatives in Ljubljana. The training, hosted by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce was well attended and successful. ¶3. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Slovenia -------------- The MoF, Customs Directorate, Head of Enforcement continues to wait for a corrected Grant Document referencing the 14 February grant donation of Gerber tools. The original grant document was withdrawn and returned to Washington after it was discovered the Government of Slovenia had been identified as the Government of Croatia. Customs needs the document to comply with VAT requirements. BRADTKE